Robert Travaglini
Massachusetts Senate President
On January 1, 2003, Robert E. Travaglini raised his right hand and promised to uphold the laws of the Commonwealth as the 93rd President of the Massachusetts State Senate. After five terms in the Senate and ten years as a Boston City Councilor, it was the professional and personal highlight of his long career in public service. He is the only person in Massachusetts to come to the State Senate from the Boston City Council.
The East Boston democrat promised his 39 Senate colleagues that he would lead the chamber by subscribing to the highest standards of honor, respect and fairness.
“I have much to learn as I take on these new responsibilities, and I will rely on each of you for advice, support and guidance,” said Travaglini. “I intend to work with each of you, to create genuine dialogue, to ensure that all voices are heard.”
Travaglini’s first undertaking was to forge a strong leadership team that shared his vision of a government committed to caring for those who are often unheard and underserved. Faced with the direst economic conditions in the state since the 1920’s, Travaglini empowered legislators to investigate creative solutions to the state budget shortfall. They spent months talking with economic experts, business and community leaders and hosted public hearings across the state. The result? A legislative spending plan that went to the Governor’s desk by June 20—the first on-time budget in seven years. It also embodied many of the principals Travaglini instituted early on in the budget process.
“This budget had to be honest and balanced without raising taxes, and contain responsible reforms to change the way government does business to make it more compassionate and accountable to our citizens,” said Travaglini. Travaglini’s approach to solving the budget crisis draws on the values he grew up with in an East Boston household--hard work, loyalty and sacrifice.
After graduating from Savio Preparatory High School in East Boston, Travaglini received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Boston State College in 1974. He furthered his education at Boston University's School of Public Communications. His first foray into state government was with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office where he worked as an Executive Assistant to Frank Bellotti from 1975 to 1981. He spent the next three years as an Administrative Assistant to the Mayor of Boston, Kevin White before running for a seat on the Boston City Council.
During the five terms Travaglini served as District One’s representative, he built a reputation as a staunch defender of neighborhoods and an active representative of his constituents in East Boston, Charlestown, the North End and the West End. He also held a number of leadership positions on various City Council committees such as Education, Transportation and Commerce, Environment and Public Works and Planning and Development.
After his election to the Senate in 1992, Travaglini rose steadily through the ranks of leadership. He served as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Local Affairs, Senate Vice-chair of the Joint Committee on Government Regulations, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Commerce and Labor, Senate Vice-chair of Ways and Means and sat on a number of other joint committees.
During the outset of his fourth term, Travaglini was appointed the Senate Majority Whip and then served as Senate Chair of the Massachusetts Legislative Children’s Caucus.
Senator Travaglini is married to the former Kelly Holtz. They have three children, two daughters, Taylor Rae and Jennifer Rae and son Andrew.
